Eva Aariak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eva Aariak
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Aariak in 2023
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| 6th Commissioner of Nunavut | |
| Assumed office January 14, 2021 |
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| Prime Minister | Justin Trudeau |
| Premier | Joe Savikataaq P. J. Akeeagok |
| Preceded by | Rebekah Williams (acting) |
| 2nd Premier of Nunavut | |
| In office November 19, 2008 – November 19, 2013 |
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| Commissioner | Ann Meekitjuk Hanson Edna Elias |
| Preceded by | Paul Okalik |
| Succeeded by | Peter Taptuna |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut | |
| In office October 27, 2008 – October 28, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Ed Picco |
| Succeeded by | riding redistributed |
| Constituency | Iqaluit East |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Eva Qamaniq Aarik
January 10, 1955 Arctic Bay, Northwest Territories (now Nunavut), Canada |
| Political party | Independent |
| Residences | Iqaluit, Nunavut |
| Occupation | CBC reporter, teacher, Languages Commissioner of Nunavut |
Eva Qamaniq Aariak is an Inuk politician from Canada. She was born on January 10, 1955. In 2008, she was elected to represent Iqaluit East in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. She then became the second premier of Nunavut. This made her one of the first women to lead a government in Canada. In January 2021, Aariak became the sixth Commissioner of Nunavut.
Early Life and Career
Before becoming a politician, Eva Aariak was the first Languages Commissioner for Nunavut. She started this job in 1999 and worked there for five years.
As Languages Commissioner, she helped choose an Inuktitut word for the Internet. The word she picked was ikiaqqivik. This word means "travelling through layers." It refers to an angakkuq, which is a traditional Inuit spiritual healer. An angakkuq travels through time and space to find answers.
After her time as Languages Commissioner, Eva Aariak taught the Inuktitut language. She taught at the Pirurvik Centre in Iqaluit. She also owned a store called Malikkaat in Iqaluit. This store sold Inuit arts and crafts. Later, she was asked to be the acting Languages Commissioner again in 2007.
She also helped with other important projects. She coordinated a program that published Inuktitut language books. She was also the president of the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce. She chaired the Nunavut Film Development Corporation too. Her daughter, Karliin, became Nunavut's new languages commissioner in 2020.
Political Journey
In the 2008 election, Eva Aariak was the only woman elected to the Legislative Assembly. She felt sad about this. She thought that better daycare services could help more women join politics. She also suggested that Nunavut should try to elect one man and one woman from each area.
Later, two more women, Jeannie Ugyuk and Monica Ell-Kanayuk, were elected. This happened in special elections called by-elections.
On November 14, 2008, Eva Aariak was chosen as the new premier of Nunavut. She was chosen over the previous premier, Paul Okalik. She was the sixth woman in Canada to become a premier. Other female premiers included Rita Johnston and Nellie Cournoyea.
On September 5, 2013, Aariak said she would run for re-election as an MLA. She would run for the new area of Iqaluit-Tasiluk. However, she also said she did not want to be premier for a second time. On October 28, 2013, she lost her election by a small number of votes. George Hickes won the seat instead.
On November 19, 2018, she received a special award. She was made a Member of the Order of Canada. This award recognized her work in promoting Inuit culture and languages. It also honored her efforts to reduce poverty and promote fairness for everyone.
Awards and Recognition
Eva Aariak has received several important awards for her work.
| Ribbon | Description | Post-nominal letters |
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Member of the Order of Canada | CM |
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Member of the Order of Nunavut | ONu |
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Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal | |
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King Charles III Coronation Medal |
See also
In Spanish: Eva Aariak para niños
